NEW DELHI: Babar Azam announced his decision to step down from Pakistan while-ball captaincy.
In a midnight post on Wednesday addressed to his fans, Azam said, I’m sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month. It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role.”
“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload.I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy. By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth,” he said.
“I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to continue contributing to the team as a player. Thank you for your love and support,” he added.
Babar Azam had returned to captain the men’s cricket team in March after the PCB designated him to lead the team in ODIs and T20s as part of a “strategic move.”
He first took on the T20 captaincy in 2019 and later became the captain for both Test and ODI formats in 2020. Babar stepped down in November after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Asia Cup and the 50-over World Cup. Shaheen Shah Afridi replaced him as the T20 captain, while Shan Masood took over as the Test captain.